Restoration & Fire Ecology

We study how fire shapes ecosystems and how restoration can help landscapes recover and stay resilient to wildfire impacts.

What we study and how we do it

Our research examines how climate change and human activity have altered fire patterns around the world. We study the effects of fire on vegetation, wildlife, watersheds, and nutrient cycles using field studies, modeling, and ecological monitoring. By combining fire ecology with restoration practices, we explore ways to repair degraded ecosystems and improve their resilience to future fires.

Why it matters and how it’s applied

Our work informs fire management and restoration strategies that protect people, property, and natural landscapes. We collaborate with land managers, communities, and policymakers to reduce wildfire risks and enhance ecosystem function. By restoring landscapes and understanding fire dynamics, we support healthier, more resilient ecosystems that benefit both nature and society.

Faculty

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Don Falk SNRE Professor

Donald Falk

Professor, Natural Resources
Chair, Global Ecology & Management
Affiliated Faculty; Arizona Institutes for Resilience
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Jeffrey Fehmi

Professor, Natural Resources
Program Chair, EMRR
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Amy C. Ganguli

Amy Ganguli

Professor, Cooperative Extension Specialist, and Marley Endowed Chair for Sustainable Rangeland Stewardship
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Elise Gornish

Professor, Restoration Ecology
Cooperative Extension Specialist in Ecological Restoration
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Aaron Lien Headshot

Aaron Lien

Assistant Professor, Rangeland Ecology and Adaptive Management
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Mitch McClaran

Mitch McClaran

Professor
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Rachel Mitchell

Associate Professor, Arid-Land Ecosystems

Research Staff

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Kendall Beals

Kendall Beals

Kendall Beals
Social Ecological Systems - Lien Lab
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Guillermo E. Ponce-Campos Headshot

Guillermo E. Ponce-Campos

Research Specialist, Principal
McClaran Lab